Abstract: The improved cloth book cover according to the invention has a spine area, and a front and back cover portion having pockets at the two lateral edges in which the front cover and the back cover of a book may be inserted. The cover is made from an elastic fabric, preferably spandex, so that the cover is elastically retained on the book. The cloth material is also preferably water resistant and flame retardant. An optional pocket located on the outside spine area of the book cover may be fashioned to contain pens, pencils, rulers, etc. A method of making the cloth book cover uses overlock stitching along the top and bottom edges of the cover and along the unfolded edges of the pockets.